Health Department alerts parents to dangers of freshwater swimming

Published: Monday, June 2, 2008 at 3:59 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, June 2, 2008 at 4:02 p.m.

The Marion County Health Department is partnering with local schools to alert parents and the community of the potential of a deadly disease in bodies of freshwater during the summer months.

"We want to ensure our community is aware of the risk for PAM [Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis] if they are going to swim or conduct water activities in fresh bodies of water such as lakes and ponds," said Dr. Nathan Grossman, director of the Marion County Health Department, in a news release. "By getting the information out through students, who frequently use summer as a time to enjoy water activities, we are hoping to educate parents and the entire community."

All Marion County students will be given a double-sided flyer with the health alert of Naegleria to take home during the last days of school. The flyer is printed in English and Spanish.

Naegleria fowleri, a parasite known as an amoeba, causes an infection that develops when the parasite enters the human body through the nose and makes its way to the brain. The result of the infection is Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) and it can be life threatening. The amoeba is usually found in freshwater and occurs when temperatures rise above 80 degrees.

Last year three deaths in Orange County were attributed to the rare but deadly disease.

Symptoms of the disease include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting and stiff neck. Symptoms can start as quickly as one to 14 days. The disease cannot be spread from person to person.

The health department will deliver approximately 50,000 flyers to local public and private schools and daycare facilities.

For more information on Naegleria fowleri contact the Marion County Health Department at (352) 629-0137, or visit www.cdc.gov.

<p>The Marion County Health Department is partnering with local schools to alert parents and the community of the potential of a deadly disease in bodies of freshwater during the summer months.</p><p>"We want to ensure our community is aware of the risk for PAM [Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis] if they are going to swim or conduct water activities in fresh bodies of water such as lakes and ponds," said Dr. Nathan Grossman, director of the Marion County Health Department, in a news release. "By getting the information out through students, who frequently use summer as a time to enjoy water activities, we are hoping to educate parents and the entire community."</p><p>All Marion County students will be given a double-sided flyer with the health alert of Naegleria to take home during the last days of school. The flyer is printed in English and Spanish.</p><p>Naegleria fowleri, a parasite known as an amoeba, causes an infection that develops when the parasite enters the human body through the nose and makes its way to the brain. The result of the infection is Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) and it can be life threatening. The amoeba is usually found in freshwater and occurs when temperatures rise above 80 degrees.</p><p>Last year three deaths in Orange County were attributed to the rare but deadly disease. </p><p>Symptoms of the disease include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting and stiff neck. Symptoms can start as quickly as one to 14 days. The disease cannot be spread from person to person.</p><p>The health department will deliver approximately 50,000 flyers to local public and private schools and daycare facilities.</p><p>For more information on Naegleria fowleri contact the Marion County Health Department at (352) 629-0137, or visit www.cdc.gov.</p><p>| Naseem Miller/Star-Banner</p>